Parking Brake Actuator Spring Set for Compact Wear-Stable Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle parking brake actuators require significant installation space and are adversely affected by brake wear, leading to reduced braking force and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A parking brake actuator utilizing a spring set with at least two springs arranged in series, allowing for adaptable spring characteristics and reduced installation space, protected from external influences, and adaptable to push or pull type actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single actuator spring is used with steep spring characteristics, then the installation space is reduced, but the braking force is greatly reduced due to brake wear
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuator spring is divided into a spring set comprising at least two springs arranged in parallel. This segmentation allows the system to maintain compact installation space while distributing the braking force across multiple springs, thereby maintaining reliable braking force even when brake wear occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring characteristics are modified by changing from a single spring with steep characteristics to a parallel spring set that provides flatter spring characteristics. This parameter change ensures that the braking force remains stable and is not greatly reduced by brake wear, while still fitting within the required installation space.
2Force
If the actuator spring is designed with specific length and stiffness, then the required stroke and actuation force are achieved, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator spring is segmented into a parallel spring set comprising at least two springs. This segmentation enables the system to achieve the required actuation force through the combined effect of multiple springs, while the overall installation space is reduced compared to a single spring of equivalent total stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple springs are combined in a parallel arrangement to achieve the required actuation force. The merging of multiple spring elements in parallel provides the necessary total stiffness and force output while occupying less installation space than a single spring would require.
3Reliability
If an actuator spring with flat spring characteristics is used, then the braking force is maintained during wear, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is segmented into a parallel spring set that collectively provides flat spring characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to maintain stable braking force during wear while keeping the installation space compact, as the parallel arrangement achieves the desired spring characteristics without requiring excessive length or volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring characteristics are changed from steep to flat by using a parallel spring set configuration. This parameter change maintains braking force stability during wear while the compact parallel arrangement fits within the required installation space constraints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact and durable brake actuator with improved safety and reduced wear sensitivity, maintaining effective braking force despite brake wear.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing means is formed as a spring set comprising at least two springs... the spring set applies a force to the brake lining such that the brake lining is pressed to an element to be braked in order to generate a braking force
Implementation Method 2
the fluid cylinder is configured such that fluid pressure in the fluid chamber applies a pressure force to the piston in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that the braking force is released
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A parking brake actuator (2) for a brake (1) of a vehicle comprises a fluid cylinder (7) and a biasing means formed as a spring set (14), wherein the fluid cylinder (7) comprises a cylinder housing (8) and a piston (9) tightly closing a fluid chamber (10) in an inner space of the cylinder housing (8). The piston (9) is connectable to a brake lining (4). The spring set (14) applies a force to the brake lining (4) in a first direction (d1) such that the brake lining (4) is pressed to an element to be braked in order to generate a braking force, and fluid pressure in the fluid chamber (10) applies a pressure force to the piston (9) in a second direction (d2) opposite to the first direction (d1) such that the braking force is released. The spring set (14) comprises at least two springs (13, 13').